The skydiving community’s ability to rapidly innovate in response to this health crisis is the perfect representation of our unique sport and is evidence that our industry will adapt and continue to thrive.

Blue Skies Physical Therapy, owned and operated by Dr. Nancy Grieger, C-44952, has assisted the skydiving community with physical therapy assessment and treatment, injury management and strength and conditioning training at boogies and events for years.

Sometime over the past 10-15 years—probably due to the advent of phone apps, manifest programs and digital altimeters that track jumps—many jumpers developed an indifferent or apathetic attitude toward formally logging jumps.

By North Central Regional Director Michael Wadkins

Now, following worldwide drop zone closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, thousands of skydivers all at once no longer meet the currency requirements of their licenses. The volume of jumpers who need currency training is unprecedented.

A Parachutist Pictorial

We asked 16 camera flyers—those who have consistently contributed dazzling images to this magazine over the years—to send us one photo that speaks to what skydiving means to them and that would inspire our readers upon their return to the sport they love.

By Ed Scott

Cover

Photo by Michael Tomaselli | D-18530

A canopy formation doesn’t quite go according to plan at the annual Spring Fling event at Skydive Sebastian in Florida. (No jumpers were injured—or even needed to cut away—in the making of this photo.)